ABBIE IN RECORD BREAKING FORM AT MULLINGAR

ABBIE IN RECORD BREAKING FORM AT MULLINGAR

Ian Fortune

Hawkfield Abbie stole the headlines at Mullingar on Saturday night, setting new figures for the 550yd trip in the opening round of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby.

Jerry Connors and Ginger McGee have had many great nights together and they will be hoping for another in a few weeks with Hawkfield Abbie standing out as the clear star in the valuable A2 competition.

Racing from the inside box in Heat 7, the daughter of Good News and Brownstown Tango was simply too good for those in opposition. Taking control in the early yards, she raced further and further clear to eventually win by an ever-increasing eleven lengths in a stunning 30.41. Drumcove Rozy was second. Hawkfield Abbie took three spots off the previous track record and it’s clear, on this level of form, she will be very hard to beat in the competition.

GERRY ALSO GOES FAST

Rathmoyle Gerry was comfortably the second fastest winner of the round, leading before the bend to emerge an easy winner of Heat 6 for John Fennelly.

The son of Jaytee Jet and Highview Lauren was most impressive as he ran out a six-length winner over Faypoint Jet in 30.62.

FRANKIE IMPRESSES

Rough Frankie won in very similar fashion, moving to the front before the corner to make all in Heat 3. In victory he was the only other heat winner to break the 31 second barrier.

Trained by Kurtis Bain for the Liquorice Allsorts Syndicate, the son of Good News and Bubbly Rose displayed fine early dash to open a clear advantage to halfway before holding the late rally of Dark Design by a length in 30.81.

WHITMAN WINS WELL

Whitman became the latest member of a the talented Droopys Sydney/ Jet Ski Queen litter to score when coming home in front in the opening heat.

Representing David Murry and Alan Devine, Whitman was only third into the back straight after steering a middle path but he drove up the inside at the third turn to take over. Despite running wide again at the final bend, he stayed on strongly to see off Ripleys Delight by two lengths in 31.03.

SYRAX A COMFORTABLE SCORER

Syrax (Dorotas Wildcat/ Correctandwrong) was one spot faster in Heat 2.

Asserting on the opening bend to make all thereafter for Paul and Chloe Cronin. The November ’21 whelp stayed on well to score by two lengths from Brigadier Jaxx by 31.02.

A LAVISH DISPLAY

Droopys Lavish may have been one of the slower heat winners but her performance was arguably the most impressive.

Last into the turn after early crowding, she charged down the back straight and home to lead in the dying strides. Trained by Beatric Steiner for the Alpine Rose Syndicate, the daughter of Droopy Sydney and Droopys Pickles got up to beat Ravensjet by a length in 31.18.

CIARA COMES HOME CLEAR

Home Ciara drove the bend to seize control in Heat 5.

Marcella Campbell’s daughter of Ballymac Best and Home Sassy ran out a ready five length winner over Slim Kerry in 31.10.

SHADOW POUNCES LATE

The final heat of the round saw Echo Shadow overcome early crowing to win in 31.25. A bad fourth into the back straight, she was soon fifth and in need of some luck.

There was nothing lucky about her victory, however. Trained by Francie Murray for Howard Wallace, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Sporting Riviera stayed tight to the fence around the last two bends before flying up the home straight to lead in the final stride for a short head victory over A Thousand Faces in 31.25.